Grand Junction records worst employment percentage loss nationwide in 2009 (rent, neighborhood)

[corunner]

FYI for some of those asking about the current jobs situation in GJ.

Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment Summary

"The largest over-the-year percentage losses in employment
were reported in Grand Junction, Colo. (-7.7 percent), Las Vegas-
Paradise, Nev., and Ocean City, N.J. (-7.4 percent each), and Flint,
Mich. (-7.0 percent)."

This was reported yesterday by NBC 11 News.

Grand Junction: Worst in the country...

[proveick]

Yup, looks like we are coming out of this recession nicely. Check out the stock market today. RP

[bluescreen73]

Couple quick hits.


1) We are technically out of the recession. The economy grew at an annual pace of 5.7% in the 4th quarter of '09 - the second straight quarter of economic expansion. That pace is unsustainable, though, so it will probably slow down to 2.5-3% over the next couple of quarters.

2) The overall unemployment rate is not a valid indicator of the state of the economy because it's a lagging indicator. Unemployment doesn't start to rise until well after the downturn has begun, and doesn't start to fall until a sustained period of economic growth.

Almost 70% of our economy is dependent on consumer spending (totally f'd up, but a different story for another time). Better indicators of where the economy is headed are consumer sentiment, factory orders reports, inventory reports, company earnings reports, durable goods reports, productivity reports, the list goes on and on.

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

1) We are technically out of the recession.

Technically yes, because we are not in a recession, we're in a worldwide depression.

The title for unemployment champ will shift from city to city, but the trend is still down. I hate to be so grim, but everyone should be able to see what's happening by now. Hold on to what you've got if you have anything, get re-acquainted with your family if possible, and get ready for a long, rough ride. I'll be lampooned here for negativity, but revisit this thread in a year (if we still have internet and leisure time for forums) and see if we are up or further down from where we are today.

[DOUBLE H]

On a different Grand Junction thread here on the forum, I remember trying to find the link regarding this areas sad economy. This is the one here. And this year, we are NOT starting the year off on the right foot at all. According to the Sentinel, GJ's daily paper, 193 bankruptcies were filed for January. Not a pretty picture here.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

1) We are technically out of the recession.

I bet they said the same thing in 1932.

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

I bet they said the same thing in 1932.

They hadn't exported all the jobs overseas or counterfeited 3 trillion dollars in '32. I'd add to "getting to know your family again" that it'd be a good idea to get to know your neighbors. Cooperation among neighbors, friends and family can help a lot during a rough patch. FWIW

[Bideshi]

Looks like I killed this thread. Please accept my apologies; I am very interested in differing views.

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by Bideshi

They hadn't exported all the jobs overseas or counterfeited 3 trillion dollars in '32. I'd add to "getting to know your family again" that it'd be a good idea to get to know your neighbors. Cooperation among neighbors, friends and family can help a lot during a rough patch. FWIW

Speaking of a rough patch, I have several neighbors who fortunately were only renting when they came in and went to work for Halliburton 5 years ago. They know about that rough patch, or should I say oil patch! 2 families are sharing 3 bedroom mobiles here in my neighborhood.

[Bideshi]

It helps sharing the rent for sure. Good for them and I hope they find their way to better days. Sounds like they are willing to make the adjustments necessary to cope with the new economic reality.